Greene dispatch system needs improvement, chairman says

CATSKILL, N.Y. - One of the most critical needs the Greene County Legislature will have to address is that of upgrading the local emergency dispatch system, the chairman said.

Greene County Legislature Chairman Wayne Speenburgh, R-Coxsackie, presented his annual State of the County during a meeting Wednesday. He highlighted a need for the county to update its obsolete dispatching system, while also noting Greene's renewed focus on tourism and its ability to remain on strong fiscal footing. Speenburgh also took the opportunity to criticize the state, noting that it's partnership with Greene "continues to be challenging."

Speenburgh said the Legislature must contend with the infrastructure of "tired county buildings," but more importantly the 911 emergency dispatch system. He said the Legislature has looked into investment options to improve the system, but there is no funding available to complete it as one project. The county must continue to look for funding solutions that are affordable for taxpayers and improve its grant applications, Speenburgh said. He also said the county must lobby for fair distribution of grants because other counties have received funding over consecutive fiscal years while Greene has not.

"Our citizens need to be assured that calling 911 to report an incident will result in the dispatch of emergency personnel and materials," Speenburgh said. "And our emergency first responders, most of whom are volunteers, need to know we understand their mission critical needs, not the least of which is proper communication. Our county is dealing with an obsolete and ineffective dispatch system."

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In terms of tourism, Speenburgh said the county created a Tourism Advisory Committee that utilizes industry leaders who live in Greene to redevelop the county's objectives. He said the committee, under the leadership of Majority Leader Kevin Lewis, R-Greenville, has met regularly and the county has committed funds in its annual budget for the group to utilize for tourism activities.

Minority Leader James Van Slyke, D-New Baltimore, said the Tourism Advisory Committee is "doing great work. And we're looking forward to increasing out tourism during the summer, as well as in the winter."

Speenburgh pointed to the annual Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival and events such as Mountain Jam at Hunter Mountain as having an immense economic impact on the community.

As for the county's relationship with the state, Speenburgh said the governor did not include real change in his budget proposal to provide mandate relief. He also said, amongst other comments, the state's economic development proposals are suspect because regional councils to jump-start the economy were formed without any real participation from the counties.